Net10

Net10 is a pre-paid and pay-as-you-go cell phone service that eschews contracts, unlike big-name competitors like Verizon and Sprint. Now, I don’t really like phones generally speaking, and I have been suspicious of Net10-type companies before, so my quest to see the Light went about as could be expected.

Still, Net10 seems to have a lot to offer over other companies. There are no contracts and no credit checks. The company offers nationwide coverage and only uses trusted phone manufacturers like LG, Motorola, and Samsung (among others). They have a series of interviews with real NET10 customers who all swear by their cell phone reception and the low cost to themselves. Net10 Unlimited, for example, is a great deal: nationwide coverage and unlimited talk, text, and data, for $50 a month.

The spokesperson (at least as far as I can tell) for Net10 lays it down with a side-by-side comparison of two phones and how to get them (via contract, with another company… or not, with Net10) in his segment what Rob has to say. They offer a range of phones—from basic to smartphones.

I have never used any cell phone service except Verizon, so I can’t comment on how good Net10’s coverage is, or how they handle complaints, or anything like that. Another real NET10 customer said, “Unless Net10 decides to get into a different business, I’ll never go to another service provider ever again.” If there’s a serious fan of Net10, it’s him.

If I had a friend who raved similarly, I might give the company a serious look, but as it is right now, I’m skeptical. I mean, how can they stay in business offering the same service and charging three or four times LESS than their competitors? I feel like they must be cutting corners SOMEwhere, right? I guess… I need to see it to believe it.

Viannah E. Duncan

Viannah E. Duncan is a writer and activist hailing originally from Los Angeles. She lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. She has a cat, Cleo.